By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

Lifelong Columbiana resident William Thomas Rasco will serve as this year’s Liberty Day Grand Marshal.

Rasco was born on June 19, 1934, in Columbiana, and graduated from Shelby County High School in 1952.

He played basketball and football, and went on to receive a basketball scholarship to Birmingham-Southern College.

Rasco served in the Army from 1956-1958 as a military policeman.

He served four terms on the Columbiana City Council.

Rasco’s voice was familiar to Shelby County Wildcat fans, as he announced SCHS football games for more than 10 years.

He also served as an SCHS Booster Club member for more than a decade, hosting the Heart of the Heart of Dixie Horse Show.

Rasco still supports all SCHS football, basketball and softball events by attending all home games.

For several years, he has announced Dixie Youth All-Star baseball games.

He and his wife, Ann Rasco, have a daughter, Kim King, who currently serves on the Columbiana City Council; two grandchildren, Chad and Carlyann King; and one great-grandchild, Everly King.